Subscribe to Guide
No Result
View All Result
Hamptons.com
  • Spotlight Magazine
  • Lifestyle
    • Featured
    • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Community
    • Dining
    • Recreation
    • Trending
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Post an Event
    • Gallery
  • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Features
    • Hamptons Real Estate Market Data
    • Search Real Estate
      • Open Houses
      • Search Sales
      • Search Rentals
    • Title Insurance
    • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
  • Live Cameras
    • All Live Cameras
    • Live Weather Cams
    • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
    • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Street
    • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
    • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
    • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
    • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
    • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
    • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
    • Montauk, Downtown Circle
    • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
    • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
    • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
    • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
    • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
    • Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Bay
    • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
    • Shelter Island, South Ferry
    • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
    • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
    • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
    • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
    • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
  • Public WiFi
    • Public WiFi Map
    • Public Wi-Fi Support
  • Spotlight Magazine
  • Lifestyle
    • Featured
    • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Community
    • Dining
    • Recreation
    • Trending
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Post an Event
    • Gallery
  • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Features
    • Hamptons Real Estate Market Data
    • Search Real Estate
      • Open Houses
      • Search Sales
      • Search Rentals
    • Title Insurance
    • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
  • Live Cameras
    • All Live Cameras
    • Live Weather Cams
    • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
    • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Street
    • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
    • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
    • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
    • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
    • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
    • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
    • Montauk, Downtown Circle
    • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
    • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
    • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
    • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
    • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
    • Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Bay
    • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
    • Shelter Island, South Ferry
    • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
    • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
    • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
    • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
    • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
  • Public WiFi
    • Public WiFi Map
    • Public Wi-Fi Support
No Result
View All Result
Hamptons.com
September 1, 2016

Art Of Eating: Bold Face Event Planning For Bold Face Names And Locals Too

Eileen Caseyby Eileen Casey
in Community
Home Community

If you have attended any of the myriad of events and benefits that take place in the Hamptons, particularly during “the season,” chances are you have nibbled, dined and enjoyed the atmosphere created by Art of Eating. The husband and wife team of John Kowalenko and Cheryl Stair have been providing magical event planning and catering, along with their experience, to the community and social scene of the Hamptons since 1986.

New York Magazine rated them one of New York’s best caterers, and by the way, some of those bold face names include Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel, Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, Aretha Franklin, director Barry Sonnenfeld, the P.G.A. and Martha Stewart, among others. Along with television appearances on the Food Network’s Inside Scoop and Martha Stewart Living, they have earned the praise bestowed on them by the Food Network as “A world-class catering company that buys the best to serve the best.”

Their menus have not changed that drastically over the years. (Photo Courtesy of Art of Eating)


In addition to Art of Eating, the couple also owns Hamptons Event Management International, creating events from benefits, intimate dinner parties and extravagant weddings, thus proving that the most important recipe may actually be the recipe for success.

Art of Eating’s Lobster Salad. (Photo Courtesy of Art of Eating)

Kowalendo and Stair have always demonstrated their participation and involvement in the community where they live, and have worked with a number of charitable organizations by contributing food and event planning expertise to Taste of the Hamptons, The Child Development Center, Taste of Summer, Planned Parenthood, East End Aids Wellness, Group for the South Fork, The Nature Conservancy, Bay Street Theater, Guild Hall and Long Island University.

Additionally, Kowalendo has acted as the Operations Director for Share our Strength’s annual Taste of the Nation event in the Hamptons, and is the coordinator for Island Harvest where he “Helps restaurants transport what would be waste to various East End food pantries, The Retreat, A.P.P.L.E., and the Senior Citizens Center in East Hampton.”

How do a husband and wife team decide who oversees what aspect of a genuinely hectic profession? Well, these two have found a smooth and gracious balance that not only complements each other, but benefits any and all partygoers whose expectations they have continually managed to surpass.

Kowalenko focuses on the endless logistics including securing sites and rentals to tenting and photographers. As the former Director of Marketing and Sales for JP Hotels (Ritz-Carton, Holiday Inn, Marriott Hotels), he brings over 30 years experience in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. As a former mixologist at J.K.’s, J.K.’s Too and J.K.’s No Jackets Required, restaurants and clubs located in Westhampton and Hampton Bays, Kowalenko mastered product placement, and now continues to demonstrate his expertise in pulling together all the minute details for a successful event, along with navigating the sometimes complicated world of local variances and codes, and maintaining established relationships with town officials and local police departments.

A menu from an Art of Eating event. (Photo Courtesy of Art of Eating)

Wherever Stair goes is where you hope to be at meal time! A talented chef, she creates anywhere from five to 25 new menus per week. Well versed in international culinary tastes, she spent her youth living in Germany and France as the daughter of a military man. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, she spent many years at well-known restaurants such as Starr Boggs and The Patio, among others. After also working with JP Hotel chain and as Chef d’Cuisine at The Left Bank in Florida, Stair returned to the East End where she became Chief Chef at the popular restaurant The Laundry.

Stair has produced themed menus covering Brazilian food to Mediterranean to BBQ to Moroccan to Thai to Portuguese to Cuban. With a library of over 250 cookbooks and her collection of food related magazines, she keeps it local with her multiple farmstand visits to secure her ingredients, and uses organic produce whenever possible.

Warning! Catching up with these two for a few questions may leave one hungry for more:

How difficult was the transition for both of you coming from working for other well-known entities and restaurants to launching your own very successful business?

JK/CS: There wasn’t much of a transition at all. We were both working in restaurants and began catering on the side. One event floated on to the next and the next… in a way, it happened by accident!

Art of Eating’s brussels sprouts. (Photo Courtesy of Art of Eating)

You are both to be thanked for your charitable contributions. Have you noticed any surprising changes in what types of organizations may need assistance?

JK/CS: Through the years the biggest change we’ve seen is the increase of charitable events. In the past, most events were all local organizations with local ties, and only a handful per season. Now, any given weekend there could be upward of 20 different events going on, many hosted by national and international organizations. It shows the drive of those who want to help, but also shows how many people and causes need that help.

What changes have you noticed not only in menu requests, but restrictions that might prevail in local policies when doing an event?

JK/CS: Surprisingly, menus have not changed that drastically. We recently found a menu we served 30 years ago and it wasn’t that far off from something we’d prepare today. We have always believed in and embraced the farm-to-table movement, and now, people are much more conscious of it. They are much more in tune with and are extremely appreciative of what’s around us. Rules and regulations change every year, but not everyone is always aware of them. As a caterer and event planner it’s critical to stay on top of it to make sure all productions run smooth.

What are the trendiest ingredient requests you have had to incorporate in
your menus?


JK/CS: Right now, one of the most common requests we’re seeing is homemade ricotta. Anything fresh is trendy, people love it.

What is the most unusual themed event you have created?

JK/CS: Themes go in circles. Something that may have been unusual last season can easily turn into this season’s most popular theme. One thing that we do see trending is the laidback and casual ambiance. Passed hors d’oeuvres are a thing of the past. People want the service but don’t want guests to realize that they’re being served.

The largest project the duo ever worked on was a weeklong event, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for 800 people. (Photo: James Katsipis)


What’s the smallest and largest events you have provided?

JK/CS: The smallest event we ever hosted was for two people. It was a wedding in the dunes in Amagansett. We were the caterers, DJ, photographers, everything. Even the witnesses! The bride and groom felt as though the big wedding they were planning with their families was getting away from the true meaning behind the occasion. They had their wedding a few weeks prior to the big party. The largest ever was a weeklong event, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for 800 people.

What is each of your favorite cuisines?

JK/CS: We love ALL food. We can’t pick just one.

For more information go to www.hamptonsartofeating.com.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Get the top Hamptons events and latest scoop!

What's Happening in the Hamptons

Related Posts

Spreading the Buddha Berry Love: Southampton Location to Open This Summer
Community

BuddhaBerry: Bringing Happiness in Every Spoonful to the Hamptons

September 1, 2025
Southampton Arts Center Honors Christine Mack at SummerFest Gala
Entertainment

Southampton Arts Center Honors Christine Mack at SummerFest Gala

September 2, 2025
“Memories of Gosman’s Dock” Brings Montauk’s Past to Life
Community

“Memories of Gosman’s Dock” Brings Montauk’s Past to Life

September 1, 2025

Search Articles

No Result
View All Result

LOCAL EVENTS

Events

03
Sep
03
Sep
-
30
Sep

TERRAIN AND TABLE Oil Paintings by Ann Lombardo

September 3 @ 09:30 AM - September 30 @ 08:00 PM
Rogers Memorial Library | 91 Coopers Farm Rd., Southampton, NY 11968
04
Sep
04
Sep
-
11
Sep

Mysteries, Deceptions, and Illusions

September 4 @ 06:00 PM - September 11 @ 08:00 PM
Green Room bar at the Sag Harbor Cinema
04
Sep
04
Sep
-
04
Sep

Lina Maxine at Stephen Talkhouse

September 4 @ 08:00 PM - September 4 @ 10:00 PM
Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St, Amagansett, NY 11930
05
Sep
05
Sep
-
05
Sep

Upon This Ground: Beadwork with Savannah LeCornu presented by BHM and Ma’s House

September 5 @ 01:00 PM - September 5 @ 03:00 PM
The Nathaniel Rogers House, 2539 Montauk Highway Bridgehampton, NY 11932
05
Sep
05
Sep
-
05
Sep

LongHouse Reserve: Ai Weiwei in Conversation — Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads

September 5 @ 01:00 PM - September 5 @ 02:00 PM
LongHouse Reserve, 133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton, NY, 11937
Load more listings
Next Post
Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin Sets Her Sights On Connecting The Creative Minded

Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin Sets Her Sights On Connecting The Creative Minded

  • Jessica Seinfeld hosted the Good+ Foundation summer dinner earlier this month at her stunning East Hampton home. The elegant evening benefitted the Good+ Foundation’s mission of supporting under-resourced families. Founded by Jessica in 2001, the non-profit supports families through donations, programs, and partnerships.⁠
⁠
The dinner featured a star-studded guest list including Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, NBA star Kevin Love, Michael J. Fox, Molly Sims, SNL’s Lorne Michaels, and more. ⁠
⁠
Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, and Sarah Silverman took center stage and delivered performances focused on family, parenting, and why this cause is essential. These performances were the perfect blend of comedy and reflection. Guests were treated to a family-style dinner, with wine provided by Wölffer Estate Vineyard and cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose and Patrón. ⁠
⁠
📸: Photo Credit: Matteo Prandoni and Todd Rubin of BFA.com⁠
⁠
Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#jessicaseinfeld #hamptons #goodfoundation #jimmyfallon #sarahsilverman #kevinlove #michaeljfox #mollysims #jerryseinfeld
  • #ppl #wölffer #padeltennis #vineyardviews
  • On August 25th, The Center at West Park held a special one-night-only reading of All The President’s Men at Guild Hall in East Hampton.⁠
⁠
📸: By Jessica Dalene 
⁠
⁠
#guildhall #centeratwestpark #easthampton #roberdowneyjr #markruffalo #reading
  • An inside look on the Hampton Classic
#hamptonclasic #horseshow
  • Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
⁠
⁠
📍 The Montauk General X Lands’ End⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sun, Aug 31 | 10am–3pm⁠
📌 Montauk General Store at The Brunch Playhouse, 14 Amagansett Square⁠
🎁 Free limited-edition tote with orders over $100 (while supplies last)⁠
⁠
🐎 50th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sun, Aug 31 | 8am–5pm⁠
📌 240 Snake Hollow Rd, Bridgehampton⁠
⁠
🍇 Wölffer Estate Vineyard PPL All-Star 2025⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30⁠
📌 Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack⁠
🎾 World-class padel at the Hamptons’ most iconic vineyard⁠
⁠
😂 Zarna Garg at WHBPAC⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 8pm–9:30pm⁠
📌 76 Main St, Westhampton Beach⁠
⁠
🎶 Joe Delia & Friends at The Clubhouse Hamptons⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 6pm⁠
📌 174 Daniels Hole Rd, East Hampton⁠
⁠
🎧 Silent Disco Dance Party in the Garden⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 8pm⁠
📌 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
⁠
👗 Marfa & Friends Trunk Show⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sat, Aug 30⁠
📌 Sag Harbor⁠
⁠
🎬 Jaws’ 50th Anniversary Screening at Sunset Theater⁠
🗓 Fri, Aug 29 – Mon, Sept 1⁠
📌 Water Mill⁠
⁠
👠 Hamptons Fashion Week⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30 | 2pm⁠
📌 Location TBA⁠
⁠
🎸 Dogpark at The Stephen Talkhouse⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30 | 8pm⁠
📌 Amagansett⁠
⁠
🍴 Stirring The Pot: Florence Fabricant & Pete Wells⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 11am–1pm⁠
📌 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
⁠
🌊 ANOTR at Surf Lodge⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 4pm⁠
📌 Montauk⁠
⁠
🎷 Garden Concert ft. Freddy DeBoe⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 6pm⁠
📌 Canoe Place Inn, Hampton Bays⁠
⁠
🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
#hamptons #wolffer #padel #landsend #montauk #fashion
  • Earlier this month, Shelter Island’s Rams Head Inn hosted a riveting Gilded Age Finale screening featuring lead actress Cynthia Nixon, award-winning costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone, and executive producer/director Michael Engler.⁠
⁠
📸:Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com⁠
⁠
Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#ramsheadinn #gildedage #shelterisland #cynthianixon #shelterislandny
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Hamptons.com

Saunders Broadcasting Corp.

Phone: 631-613-8440
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Facebook.com/HamptonsOnline
Twitter: @Hamptons
Instagram: @HamptonsOnline

About Us | Contact Us

Hamptons.com

  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Live Cameras
  • Public WiFi

Subscribe

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Get the top Hamptons events and latest scoop!

© 2025 Hamptons.com | All rights reserved
Saunders Broadcasting Corp.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Spotlight Magazine
  • Lifestyle
    • Featured
    • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Community
    • Dining
    • Recreation
    • Trending
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Post an Event
    • Gallery
  • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Features
    • Hamptons Real Estate Market Data
    • Search Real Estate
      • Open Houses
      • Search Sales
      • Search Rentals
    • Title Insurance
    • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
  • Live Cameras
    • All Live Cameras
    • Live Weather Cams
    • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
    • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Street
    • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
    • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
    • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
    • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
    • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
    • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
    • Montauk, Downtown Circle
    • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
    • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
    • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
    • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
    • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
    • Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Bay
    • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
    • Shelter Island, South Ferry
    • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
    • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
    • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
    • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
    • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
  • Public WiFi
    • Public WiFi Map
    • Public Wi-Fi Support

© 2025 Hamptons.com | All rights reserved
Saunders Broadcasting Corp.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us